Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention generally relates to a portable folding table, particularly for use as a baby change table. of the Invention

[0002] In order to change a baby diaper, it is usually necessary to lay the baby down onto a flat horizontal surface, such as a floor or a table. This is sometimes dangerous, inconvenient or unsanitary, particularly when travelling. If the surface is a table, then it should typically include raised sides to prevent the baby from rolling off the surface.

[0003] Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a portable, folding table which provides a suitable surface for changing a baby diaper. of the Invention

[0004] The present disclosure relates to a portable folding table comprising:

(a) a planar base comprised of at least two panels, one having a header edge, the other having a footer edge, and each having a first side edge and a second side edge, wherein the two base panels are hinged to each other and moveable between a folded position and an open position;

(b) two first side panels and two second side panels hingedly attached to the first side edge and the second side edge respectively of the base panels, wherein each side panel is moveable between a folded position and an open position; and

(c) a header panel and a footer panel hingedly attached to the header edge and footer edge respectively, and each moveable between a folded position and an open position.

[0005] In some embodiments, the side panels fold against an upper side of the base panels and the header and footer panels fold against an underside of the base panels, and the two base panels fold such that the footer panel and header panel are adjacent each other in an interior of the folded assembly. [0006] Preferably, the table is configured for substantially one-handed operation to unfold and fold the table, permitting its use when holding a baby.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007] In the drawings shown in the specification, like elements may be assigned like reference numerals. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, with the emphasis instead placed upon the principles of the present invention. Additionally, each of the embodiments depicted are but one of a number of possible arrangements utilizing the fundamental concepts of the present invention.

[0008] Figure 1A is an isometric view of one embodiment of a change table in a fully extended or open position. Figure IB is a view of the underside of the open table of Figure 1A.

[0009] Figure 2 is an isometric view of the embodiment of Fig. 1 partially folded.

[0010] Figure 3 is an isometric view of the embodiment of Fig. 1 partially folded.

[0011] Figure 4 is an isometric view of the embodiment of Fig. 1 fully folded.

[0012] Figure 5A shows a fully folded table and Figure 5B is a view of the fully folded table, being held by the opening strap and in position to initiate the opening procedure.

Detailed Description

[0013] Definitions. Any term or expression not expressly defined herein shall have its commonly accepted definition understood by a person skilled in the art. The terms "upper" and "lower" refer to the table or its elements in its intended use position, when placed on a horizontal surface. Thus, the major surfaces seen in Figure 1 are the upper surfaces of the panels shown.

[0014] With reference to the Figures, disclosed are embodiments of a portable, folding table, suitable for holding a baby while changing a baby diaper. Generally, in a preferred embodiment, the table comprises: (a) a planar base comprised of two panels 10A, 10B hinged together, one having a header edge 11, the other having a footer edge 12, and each base panel having a first side edge 13 and a second side edge 14;

(b) first side panels 20A, 20B and second side panels 22A, 22B, attached by a hinge to the first side edge 13 and the second side edge 14 respectively of each of the base panels 10A, 10B, wherein each side panel is moveable between a folded position and an open position; and

(c) a header panel 30 and a footer panel 40 attached by a hinge to the header edge 11 and footer edge 12 respectively, and each moveable between a folded position and an open position.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment, the table is sized as a baby change table, where the base panels support the body or torso, and the header panel supports the head. As such, the table may be about 20-36 inches in length when fully unfolded.

[0016] In alternative embodiments, the planar base may be formed from more than two base panels, or with more than two side panels per side, which may result in a more compact folded configuration, however with more complicated folding and unfolding requirements than the bi-folding configuration illustrated in the Figures. For example, the planar base may be a tri-fold configuration (not shown).

[0017] Thus in some embodiments, the base panels 10A, 10B are hinged together along a central hinge line A. Preferably, the hinge is on a lower side of the base panels so that once open and flat, as shown in Fig. 1, the two portions abut against each and are physically restrained from opening further. In some embodiments, magnets 11 or a physical connector may be provided which maintains the two base panels in the open position.

[0018] The side panels 20, 22 are hinged such that the side panels fold in towards each other above the base panels while the header and footer panels 30, 40 fold in towards each other below the base panels 10A, 10B, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. The two base panels of the table may then be pivoted closed along the central hinge line, as shown in Figs. 2-4. [0019] Each of the base panel, side panels and panels are preferably formed from a lightweight rigid material, such as any suitable natural or synthetic material such as wood, bamboo, plastic, metal or a composite material. The panels may be solid or hollow, so long as they have sufficient rigidity for their intended purpose. Some or all of the panels may have a padded upper surface, such as a thin layer of a foam or elastomeric material.

[0020] The side panels 20, 22 have outer edges which are positioned adjacent each other when the table is closed in a folded up position. In some embodiments, abutting side panels (such as 20B and 22B) may have different shapes, with the outer edges being curved to provide better access from one or the other side of the table.

[0021] An optional safety strap 70 which has convenient buckling means, such as buckles, snaps or hook and loop fasteners, or other convenient quick fastening and releasing means, may be provided to restrain a baby when placed on the table.

[0022] Preferably, the side panels 20, 22 are pivotally connected to the base panels in a physical configuration which permits the side panels to close fully, to a position where they lie flat against the upper surface of the base panels. When opened, in preferred embodiments, the side panels are physically constrained from opening beyond a desired position. For example, as seen in Fig. 1, each side panel has a wing 21 which contacts a side rail 23 which acts as a travel stop, preventing the side panels from dropping below a desired inclination or horizontal position. Preferably, when fully opened, the side panels incline upwards, for example between about 10 to about 75 degrees upwards, so as to prevent a baby from rolling off the side of the table.

[0023] In some embodiments, there are retractable comer legs 50, each having an inner leg 51, an outer leg 52, and a cross brace 53. The inner leg 51 and outer leg 52 are pivotally connected at a distal end, while a near end of the inner leg 51 is pivotally connected to either the header panel 30 or the footer panel 40, as the case may be. A near end of the outer leg is pivotally connected to the base panel 10. Thus, when the table is open with all panels in an open position, as may be seen in Fig. 1, the legs 50 are extended outward at an angle to provide a stable base for the table. Preferably, the cross brace 53 is a flat member which extends between two legs 50 to provide additional structural strength and stability, and which folds into the device on closing.

[0024] Preferably, the leg supporting the header panel or the footer panel is shorter than the other leg, resulting in the leg assembly 50 extending outwards, providing a more stable base. In the example shown in the Figures, the inner leg 51 is shorter than the outer leg 52.

[0025] In some embodiments, middle legs 60 may be provided which improve the stability of the table and which comprise folding leg members 61, 62.

[0026] As described below, the legs 50, 60 fold and retract into the device when all panels are moved to their closed, folded position. Preferably, the underside of the base panels 10A, 10B, and the header and footer panels 30, 40 define cutouts or voids to accommodate the legs 50, 60 when folded, as may be seen in Fig. IB. Preferably, some or all of the legs 50, 60 have a non-slip material on their tips, such as a rubber or silicon material.

[0027] In the fully open position, each of the header and footer panels 30, 40 are supported by and cantilevered from inner legs 51. It is not intended that the header and footer panels bear any significant weight, however, they are supported sufficiently in case the baby arches their back, placing weight on either or both the header or footer panel. Weight on the base panel 10 tends to keep the leg 50 extended, such that the cantilevered header or footer panel is held up.

[0028] The process of folding the table is illustrated in Figs. 2, 3 and 4. The side panels 20, 22 fold upward to lay against the upper surface of the base panel. Preferably, small magnets 27 can be provided in a side panel and in a base panel which hold the side panels in a closed position against the base panel, while being relatively easy to overcome to open.

[0029] The header and footer panels fold downward, in the opposite direction as the side panels, as seen in Figure 2. As they fold, the legs 50 begin to retract by pivoting into their retracted position. Preferably the legs pivot about an axis parallel to the major plane of the header panels and base panel, such that when retracted, the legs are parallel and adjacent to the first and second side edges 13, 14 of the base panel. The header and footer panels may define voids or indents on their underside to accommodate the cross braces 53 when folded up.

[0030] The middle legs 60 are hinged to fold up between the two halves of the base panel 10, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

[0031] In preferred embodiments, a closing assist mechanism may be provided, which can comprise a cord or cable mechanism. One example of a cable mechanism is illustrated in Fig. IB. A closing strap 74 is connected to a cable 76 which runs inside channels along the side of the base panels and terminates in a connection 77 to the underside of the header panel at one end, and the footer panel at the other end. When a user pulls on the closing strap 74, the cable pulls on the header and footer panels to urge then towards their closed position.

[0032] Finally, the base panels 10A, 10B fold along the central hinge line A to produce the fully folded table, as shown in Fig. 4. Preferably, there is a shallow void on the underside of each portion of the base panels which accommodates the header and footer panels when folded. This may reduce the height of the table once fully folded.

[0033] The process of unfolding or opening the table simply includes the reverse of the folding steps or movements described above. Preferably, the operation may be performed entirely or primarily one-handed as a user frequently must hold a baby with their other arm. The change table may be configured to facilitate such a one-handed operation. Preferably, an opening strap 72 is provided, which assists in a one-handed operation. Preferably, the hinges between all the panels are sufficiently freely moveable that the table will at least partially unfold by operation of gravity when held from one end, for example when held by the strap 72.

[0034] Small opposing tabs 78 may be provided along the sides of the base panels 10, which permit a user to manually lever the folded base panels apart. Preferably, the tabs are positioned near the opening strap 72 such that they may be manipulated by the same hand holding the opening strap, and also may be staggered slightly to allow a thumb and forefinger action, as may be seen in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5. [0035] Thus, in a preferred embodiment, a user may hold the table by the opening strap 72, separate the base panels with the tabs 78, all with one hand. As the opening strap is attached to the header panel 30, once the two base panels are separated, gravity will cause the header panel, base panels and footer panel to separate and at least partially open. The legs 50, 60 deploy due to the panels unfolding. The table may then be set down, and each side panel may then be opened up. The corners 25 of the side panels may form finger holds in the form of an opening or notch to allow a user to easily pry open the side panels.

[0036] In some embodiments, the hinges between some or all panels may be spring loaded, or otherwise biased into an open position to facilitate one-handed operation. Additionally or alternatively, small detents may be utilized to maintain either or both the open and closed positions. The detents may physically restrain movement of the components, but be easily overcome to open or close the table.

[0037] In some embodiments, small magnets may be oriented to magnetically repel each other in order to facilitate the opening process. For example, repelling magnets 26 may be positioned opposite each other on the underside of the header and footer panels. As may be seen, when in a closed position, these magnets will be immediately adjacent each other.

[0038] In all cases where magnets have been described, similar mechanical closures may be used to help retain elements in place while being relatively easy to displace. Magnets may be used in pairs to attract or repel each, or a magnet may be used in conjunction with a magnetic material, as is known in the art.

[0039] Interpretation. References in the specification to "one embodiment", "an embodiment", etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular aspect, feature, structure, or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes that aspect, feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases may, but do not necessarily, refer to the same embodiment referred to in other portions of the specification. Further, when a particular aspect, feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to affect or connect such module, aspect, feature, structure, or characteristic with other embodiments, whether or not explicitly described. In other words, any module, element or feature may be combined with any other element or feature in different embodiments, unless there is an obvious or inherent incompatibility, or it is specifically excluded.

[0040] It is further noted that the claims may be drafted to exclude any optional element. As such, this statement is intended to serve as antecedent basis for the use of exclusive terminology, such as "solely," "only," and the like, in connection with the recitation of claim elements or use of a "negative" limitation. The terms "preferably," "preferred," "prefer," "optionally," "may," and similar terms are used to indicate that an item, condition or step being referred to is an optional (not required) feature of the invention.

[0041] The singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include the plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The term "and/or" means any one of the items, any combination of the items, or all of the items with which this term is associated. The phrase "one or more" is readily understood by one of skill in the art, particularly when read in context of its usage.

[0042] As will also be understood by one skilled in the art, all language such as "up to", "at least", "greater than", "less than", "more than", "or more", and the like, include the number recited and such terms refer to ranges that can be subsequently broken down into sub-ranges as discussed above. In the same manner, all ratios recited herein also include all sub-ratios falling within the broader ratio.